It’s an experience shared by more than one member of the wine trade. You roll up to a classic Floridian strip mall and can’t help but wonder out loud, how is that a place with such an unusual name, located in such an anonymous row of classic “strip mall” businesses, could be so renowned for its food and beverage program?

Last week, an itinerant wine blogger finally had the chance to dine at Pasta and… in Margate (a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale) and they are here to report that this restaurant is nothing short of extraordinary.

The other thing that was remarkable about an otherwise humdrum Wednesday evening at Pasta and… was that it was PACKED.

As fine dining restaurants across the country struggle to make their bottle line these days, they might want to take a look at how Pasta and… has continued to fill its dining room night after night thanks to a fantastic authentic Piedmont-focused menu and a stellar wine list. When so many U.S. restaurateurs are downsizing, Pasta and… actually added a new dining room, private dining space, and bar!

I genuinely loved everything about this restaurant, from the way our server greeted us and had solid knowledge of the wine list to the warm, inviting atmosphere at every turn of the meal. The food was delicious. The wine list was a Piedmont-lover’s dream but there were also ample Tuscan selections and a healthy representation of pan-Italian.

Above, from top: risotto with speck and Fontina; angolotti al plin; and ravioli stuffed with porcini and topped with black truffle. The ravioli were the showstoppers of the evening but everything was fantastic.

It’s a bit of a drive from Miami and traffic can be challenging. But man, it’s well worth the journey. I can’t wait to get back.